Buggy-bow spring



(No Model.) s. MQELHANEY.

BUGGY BOW SPRING: No. 272,071. Patented .Feb. 13,1883.

, W] T NESSES [NVEN TOR 9 MWMA W WWW @ZZZ ,4 TTORNEY n, PETERS.Pllcko-Lilhognphsn wmin mp. c.

skilled in the art to which it UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL MOELHANEY, OF POLO, ILLINOIS.

BUGGY-BOW SPRING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 272,071, dated February13, 1883,

Application filed November 17, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL MGELHANEY, aresident of Polo, in the countyof Ogle and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Buggy Bow Springs; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others pertains to make and use the same.

My invention is a new and improved device to be attached to the rear bowof a buggy-top for the purpose of guarding against the breakingof thehow when the top is suddenly thrown back, and to carry the weight of thetop when down. It is described in the following specification and shownin the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation ofa buggy-top with the device attached to the rear bow and the top raised;Fig. 2, a rear elevation of one side of same, and Fig. 3 a sideelevation of the rear bow with device attached in the position assumedwhen the top is down.

The device consists of acurv'ed spring, C, of steel or other suitablematerial. pivoted at its lower end on the bolt E, which forms the pivoton which the bows are hinged, and fastened at its upper end to the rearbow, F, by means of a clip, D. The springC isacurve of which the bow Diethe chord, their only points of contact being at the ends of the spring,and

the curve lies wholly on the rear side of the how. The clip D may fitloosely on the how, so as to allow longitudinal play of the spring; butI prefer to have it tight on the bow, as the stiffness of the spring isthereby increased, and any tendency of the clip to wear the surface ofthe bow is obviated.

The operation of the deviceis evident. When the top is thrown back,instead of the bow F striking the bolt B, which forms the pivot of thebrace, the interposed spring 0 strikes on the bolt and receives theforce of the blow. The bows are rigid, and it frequently happens thatwhen the top is thrown back suddenly the force of the fall breaks thebow, whereas when the device shown is; used the yielding spring acts asa cushion and breakage is impossible. When the top is down the weight isborneby the spring, which rests on the bolt B and forms a yieldingsupport, taking off the strain caused by any sudden jar frominequalities in the roadway passed over.

It is evident that the form of the clip D may be changed, as anyattachment of the upper end of the spring to the how will answer thepurpose; but I consider the form of attachment shown the simplest andmost convenient and economical.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with the rear bow of a buggy-top, a curved springlying in rear of said how, rigidly attached thereto at its upper end,and pivoted at its lower end at the pointof intersection of the bows,substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the bow F, spring 0, clip D, and butt E,substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereoflhave signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

V SAMUEL McELHANEY.

Witnesses: l R. H. WILES,

O. L. TAYLOR.

